Align Technology, a leading global medical device company that designs, manufactures, and sells the Invisalign System of clear aligners, iTero intraoral scanners, and exocad CAD/CAM software for digital orthodontics and restorative dentistry, has introduced a new SmartForce feature, attachment-free aligner activation, that helps minimise the number of attachments while maintaining predictable treatment outcomes. The new SmartForce attachment-free aligner activation feature builds on Align's foundational biomechanics for clear aligners and its database of more than 17 million Invisalign patients to optimise tooth movements. It is the latest of the company's many biomechanical innovations that enhance experiences for patients in Invisalign treatment.

Built into the Align Digital Platform the attachment-free aligner activation feature is the newest innovation as part of the Align digital workflow. The Align digital workflow includes dedicated tools and capabilities for each stage of the Invisalign treatment journey. A related update to ClinCheck treatment planning will include Live Update for 3D Controls that includes an attachment-free aligner activation selection.

SmartForce features, which include optimised attachments that are small tooth-coloured shapes attached to teeth, are designed to deliver precise forces when and where needed to achieve more predictable tooth movements. Double attachments are often needed on upper central (front) teeth to achieve desired mesiodistal root movements. Although optimised attachments are crucial for successful Invisalign treatment, with this new release, certain movements now can be achieved using a similar force system through aligner activation, reducing the need for double attachments on the centrals. If an attachment is still needed for certain scenarios, aligner activation will be present with a single optimised root control attachment as with other teeth such as canines and premolars.

Visit www.aligntech.com for more information.